England clinch Cyprus Cup, Germany denied

England will go into UEFA Women's EURO 2013 in July having already won a trophy after beating Canada in the Cyprus Women's Cup final, while Germany were denied by the United States in the Algarve Cup decider.

Four of the 12 contenders in Sweden this July were competing in Cyprus with five others in southern Portugal. There were also placement games at the Algarve Cup today for Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland, while Italy, the Netherlands and Finland also concluded Cypriot campaigns.

Holders France were not defending their Cyprus title but Canada, who had reached all five previous finals and won three, provided tough opposition for England. However, Rachel Yankey's 70th-minute goal sealed victory against a side that knocked Great Britain out of the 2012 Olympic tournament in the quarter-finals. It could be a good omen for England, who beat Canada in the decider four years ago before going on to reach the UEFA Women's EURO 2009 final.

In the placement matches, Switzerland lost 2-1 to New Zealand for third, the Netherlands ended sixth following a 1-0 defeat by Scotland, Finland overcame the Republic of Ireland 1-0 to come seventh thanks to a Sanna Talonen goal, Italy defeated South Korea 1-0 in the ninth-place match and Northern Ireland were beaten 5-4 on penalties by South Africa for 11th place following a 1-1 draw.

In the Algarve, holders Germany were hoping for a repeat of their 2006 final win against the US rather than their 2005 and 2010 losses. However, the US made it three final victories out of four against Germany, and nine overall, thanks to two first-half Alex Morgan goals. Olympique Lyonnais winger Megan Rapinoe was named player of the tournament.

Norway overcame UEFA Women's EURO 2013 hosts Sweden 5-4 on penalties for third place, having earned a 2-2 draw in added time through Ada Hegerberg. Antonia Göransson had restored Sweden's advantage early in the second half, Kristine Hegland having cancelled out Kosovare Asllani's opener.

Japan saw off China 1-0 to end fifth while Denmark clinched seventh position as second-half goals by Sine Hoveson, Pernille Harder and Julie Rydahl Bukh defeated Mexico 3-0. Iceland found form in a 4-1 defeat of Hungary to come ninth, Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir, Rakel Hönnudóttir, Katrín Ómarsdóttir and Sandra Jessen on target, and hosts Portugal won 3-1 on penalties against Wales for 11th place following a 1-1 draw.